Wrightsville, Pa.

http://www.moondancerwinery.com/

Summer

In this video, Moon Dancer Winery owner Jimmy Miller talks about the winery, the 12 acres of vinifera grapes he grows, his "hand crafted" approach to wine making and the micro climate he's dealing with.

What will grape growing and wine making be like in the near and distant future? Jimmy has some interesting thoughts in the next video. If climate change continues, we might see hot-climate grapes like zinfandel growing in Pennsylvania, he says. And what grape varieties will come to the forefront in South Central Pennsylvania vineyards? Jimmy is predicting Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.

Spring

Here's our video of the day. The group playing -- Along for the Ride -- is just great. They write most of the material they performed. Below is a link to their site:

http://www.myspace.com/alongfortheridebluegrass

Winter

Mid-February, the dead of winter, we took a simple picnic of bread, blue cheese and olives to Moon Dancer. You wouldn't think much would be going on, but there was a musician and a small crowd. The bright and cheerful "great room" with its high vaulted ceiling where you can have a winter picnic was warmer than outdoors. The place is a wonderful replication of a Chateau: stately, pleasant, old world. It's an architectural style that makes you think "wine." And, of course there is that wonderful faint smell of fermentation going on somewhere below the floor. Out on the patio there was a fire going and the winter view of the river was awesome.

We had a knock-out bottle of Chardonnay. Moon Dancer has three speeds of Chardonnay called: Chardonnay, Chardonnay reserve and Wild Naked Chard. All three are just fabulous this year. The Wild Naked Chard is made with wild yeast and is not oaked. It's worth the trip to this winery just to taste that.

(Mouse over photos below to enlarge above)

(Click photo to enlarge in browser.)

To return to the PaWineLife home page click here.